Rolling the dice: conversations on risk

Taking Risk is essential, but how much, when and why? Taking risks effectively is as much of an art as it is a science and we’ve asked some of the brightest folks in the community to tell us about how they think about risk taking.

Galand Thaxton II | Artist/Musician – “Courier” or “The Courier GT”

I would say my whole career has been a risk. Art and music is a leap you take and hope there’s enough faith and fulfillment to get you through. Those that do it the best know that it takes a lot of time and there isn’t really a blueprint for it. Read more>>

Daniele Joi and Nelson “JJ” Flores n/a | Film Editor and Cinematographer

Daniele: Pursuing a creative career is a huge risk and I often question if it’s a worthwhile one. Now that I’m in my thirties, I am a little more risk-averse, but in my early twenties, I did take many risks to pursue my dreams of working in the film industry. Read more>>

Michele Tino | Jazz Musician

I believe nowadays starting a musical career involves a big amount of risks on many different levels. The first level is definitely the artistic one: in our times we’re witnessing a big change in how we have access to music in our everyday’s life; the enormous amount of music we are exposed to is somehow anesthetizing us and our taste.  Read more>>

Simone Samuels | Nurse, Real estate investor

Risk-taking is an integral part of both personal and professional growth. In my career, especially in the realm of real estate investing. I believe taking calculated risks has been crucial. Read more>>

Leslie Durso | Plant Based Chef

I love taking risks! I think that is part of what makes life so fun and interesting! Trying new things! Following your heart! I have always taken “the road less traveled” in my career and life. Read more>> 

Javelle Gray | Founder & CEO of Gray Atelier

When I think about risk I get excited, to me risk is the one thing that is standing in your way from doing something you love. We as creatures are extremely reliant on comfort but, with comfort comes missing out on new opportunities often times new opportunities that are going to push you to the next stage of success. Risk to me is a good thing, not just risk but a calculated risk! Read more>>

Claire Davis | Illustrator

When I tell people that I’m an illustrator, they often assume I fall under the “starving artist” stereotype. Non-creatives assume that becoming an artist is too risky; choosing passion over stability is too risky. However, I think that in this day and age, it is the best era to be a creative. Read more>>

ZsaZsa Cakes | The kandie Dollhouse Designer and Creator

Taking a chance with the dollhouse was a daunting endeavor as nobody believed in my vision. The Kandie Dollhouse Doll Dreams Lounge may seem like a children’s concept, but it’s actually designed for women. Designing a product with teddy bears felt quite risky initially, as I doubted its appeal to others. Read more>>

Can Sarac | CG Artist

Taking risks is in the nature of an art career in general. First of all, you decide to separate yourself from others at an early age and start moving toward the uncertain reality that awaits you. Then, after you complete your educational journey, you move toward the work environment, which also has many uncertainties and risks. Read more>>

Rotem Barazani | Dancer, choreographer, dance teacher

I think risk is the “title” that we choose to put on the feeling ” what ever happens , happen”. this is also our way to understand we can control only what we can control of. Read more>>

Shelby Nunn | Actor – Dancer – Performer

I believe that risk is an integral part of life as a whole. To truly live life well and fully, risk demands to be taken. Now risk and faith can sometimes be interchangeable or become one here. In my own life and career, I have seen so clearly that there is such reward and blessing on the other side of taking that leap of faith which undoubtedly is risk. Read more>>

KB Vega | Chief Empowerment Officer & Inspirationalist

If you don’t take risks, how will you know the outcome? It could be better than you ever imagined, right? Funny, I’ve always been the one to ‘just go for it’. Just jump right in and learn along the way. A little irrational, a little impulsive? Maybe. But how I see it, life is all about taking risks. You just have to dive right in and hope for the best. Read more>>

Raina Lawrence | Director, Playwright and Production management assistant and usher

Being an artist in this generation is not a cake-walk of starving artist tortured dreams anymore. It’s about sufficiency and being able to make calculated risks and endeavors. I currently have become a realistic dreamer. I approach my life through the lens of what I can do with what’s laid out in front of me than in my head. Read more>>

Anna Long | Independent Film-maker, Choreographer, and Movement Artist

You could say my entire artistic career has been defined by risk, from packing up and moving to Tel Aviv not knowing a single soul, nor a single word of Hebrew in order to study Gaga with the dancers at Batsheva Dance Company, to moving to LA in my thirties to pursue independent filmmaking alongside my movement work. Read more>>

Xiaohan Zhang | Film Director & Producer

Risk is something I’ve always felt could be managed. Growing up in a town with lots of lakes and rivers, swimming was a big part of my life. But before I learned how to swim, I was scared of choking, not being able to breathe, and even drowning. So, I started in a supervised pool where I learned to breathe right and hold my breath. Read more>>

Tiffeny Wilson | Singer-Songwriter

Taking risks is so important as a creative and artistic person. Without taking risks, you won’t get to experience amazing opportunities that are out there. It can be challenging and difficult because you have no idea what details lies ahead, or what’s on the other side of the door, but if you don’t take risks you won’t find out. It’s better to try than to not try at all. Read more>>

Dr. Celil Refik Kaya | Guitarist, composer and educator

Life is all about taking risks. Those who embrace risk move forward and increase their chances of success. In my personal experience, every significant decision I’ve made involved taking risks. Read more>>

Matheus Fagundes | Actor

To get the prize, you have to pay the price, and that includes taking risks. I’m the kind of person who would rather regret something I did than regret not doing it. I’ve taken many risks in my life, and all of them have been important on my journey so far. Read more>>

Vanessa Pozzobon | Operating Owner of Mission Bar

I took a risk with Mission Bar, and it was one of the best risks I have ever taken. I was living in Australia and going through some health issues and wanted to come home for a little while to be around family. Read more>>

Neusha Taherian | Music Composer & Music Editor

In my experience, much of risk taking boils down to listening to your gut and taking leaps of faith. It’s changing course whenever the opportunity presents itself, even if you are unsure if you’ll succeed. Read more>>

Elena Lozonschi | Actor, Performer

Taking risks has been a vital part of my journey, shaping me both personally and professionally. Embracing the unknown and taking that leap of faith have brought me to where I am today. If I hadn’t found the courage to ignore the naysayers and dive into the unknown, I wouldn’t be here now. Read more>>

Saad Rolando | Actor & Writer

I view risk not as a peril to be avoided, but as an opportunity to embrace – and I love the adventure taking risks sparks. To me, taking risks is necessary to achieve personal and professional fulfillment. Without risks, we remain in the confines of our comfort zones, never truly discovering our potential or realizing our dreams. Read more>>

Elijah Clancy | Co-Owner, Designer

Balancing risk across team members is always a tricky effort. Our shared business journey has been full of risky moves – like moving JOHI from a small town in upcountry Maui to the California central coast. Leasing a commercial workshop of more than double the size was a huge undertaking for us. Read more>>